Suspense. Murder. Betrayal. Semi-nude painting. If any of these topics interest you, The Thursday Murder Club is the latest film to add to your watchlist.

Directed by Chris Columbus and based on the 2020 novel of the same name, the comedic mystery stars four members of the senior living facility Coopers Chase as they try to solve a murder while keeping their community from shutting down.

Three of the club’s original members, played by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley, are retirees who spend their Thursdays solving cold murder cases. After the last original member of their group enters hospice care, the trio take in a new person at Coopers Chase, a retired nurse played by Celia Imrie.

When one of the owners of Coopers Chase is murdered, the four seniors set out to uncover who killed him. What begins as a simple murder turns into a web of mysteries surrounding the facility and the Thursday Murder Club.

The film’s premise is charming. Fans of Knives Out and The Golden Girls will enjoy the concept, which is complete with a dash of The Great British Baking Show. 

[‘Weapons’ is a near-perfect dark comedy]

The cozy floral wallpaper and pastel wingback chairs in nearly every room of Coopers Chase give the film an inviting sense of warmth and fit each character’s personality. It feels like a place your grandmother would enjoy playing mahjong.

In contrast, other settings in the film are more consistent with the scenery of a typical murder mystery, such as the old cemetery outside of the senior living facility. It’s a duality that leans into the mystery’s unique premise.

Despite dealing with heavy topics like death, Alzheimer’s and immigration issues, the main characters’ antics bring a lightness to The Thursday Murder Club that makes it an incredibly funny watch.

Brosnan and Kingsley’s characters ease even the heaviest moments with their comedic prowess. In one scene, the duo lure the chief investigator on the murder case to the senior living facility, where Kingsley’s character uses his expertise as a retired psychiatrist to transform Ron’s apartment, played by Brosnan, into a picture of senile chaos.

While some situations leave the audience with second-hand embarrassment, the movie doesn’t rely on uncomfortable scenarios to get a laugh. 

Another standout scene is the introduction of Stephen, played by Jonathan Pryce, who is married to Mirren’s character and suffers from Alzheimer’s. Pryce’s depiction of Alzheimer’s is heartbreakingly sincere. 

Every small detail of his performance, from the slight shake of his hands to the frustration on his face when he can’t remember words, enhances his character and adds heart to the comedy.

Seemingly unremarkable lines prove to be important to the larger narrative. These inclusions are easy to miss on the first viewing, but ensure The Thursday Murder Club remains interesting during a second watch. 

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But despite so much build-up to the final reveals and expert comedic performances, the ending falls flat. The film quickly pivots to a neat and quick resolution rather than fleshing out the ending’s heavier actions, such as murder and suicide, leaving some audience members potentially feeling off-kilter.

Despite its flaws, The Thursday Murder Club is an overall enjoyable watch with strong characters and an intriguing premise.

Oh, and remember to call your grandparents. They’d love to hear from you.